Barley Productivity Response to Polymer‐Coated Urea in a No‐Till Production System

Abstract

Farmers are interested in more cost‐efficient and environmentally sound fertilization programs in field crops. A multi‐site study on the Canadian prairies was conducted to determine the effect of polymer‐coated urea (Environmentally Smart Nitrogen, ESN) compared with urea on weed management and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield and quality. Treatments included a semi‐dwarf and tall barley cultivar, polymer‐coated urea (ESN) and urea, 100 and 150% of soil test N fertilizer rates, and 50 and 100% of registered herbicide rates. Treatments were applied to the same plots in four consecutive years. Barley yield was greater with semi‐dwarf compared with tall barley in 13 of 20 site‐years but weed biomass was greater in 7 of 18 site‐years with the semi‐dwarf cultivar. The 150% N fertilizer rate increased yield of both cultivars in 9 of 20 site‐years and of the semi‐dwarf cultivar in four additional site‐years. Barley yield was often similar with ESN and urea but ESN increased barley yield in three site‐years at both N rates, two additional site‐years at the 150% N rate, and one further site‐year with semi‐dwarf barley. Barley grain protein concentration was greater with ESN than with urea in 8 of 20 site‐years. Information gained in this study will be used to advise growers on improved barley production practices.